During its meteoric rise, Snapchat, the disappearing-photo app, found itself facing a different kind of vanishing act – its female employees were systematically overlooked. The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) stepped in, alleging that from 2015 to 2022, women at Snap Inc., Snapchat’s parent company, were denied fair pay and promotions compared to their male counterparts.
The CRD’s lawsuit coincided with a period of explosive growth for Snapchat, with its workforce ballooning from a mere 250 to over 5,000 employees. But for many women at the company, this growth came at a cost. The lawsuit painted a picture of a hostile work environment, rife with unwelcome advances and harassment. It went further, claiming that women who dared to speak up faced retaliation – demotions, bad performance reviews, and even termination.
Snap, while maintaining its innocence, opted to settle the lawsuit for a hefty $15 million. This decision aimed to avoid a drawn-out and expensive legal battle. The company vowed to mend its ways, bringing in an independent consultant to scrutinise its compensation and promotion policies. Additionally, a watchful eye would be hired – a third-party monitor tasked with ensuring Snap followed anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation regulations.
